2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Clearwater, FL vs San Marcos, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Marcos or is it cheaper to live in Clearwater?
- San Marcos is 50.7% more expensive than Clearwater.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Marcos or Clearwater?
- San Marcos housing costs are 182.3% more expensive than Clearwater housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Clearwater or is Health Care more affordable in San Marcos.
- Health related expenses are 14.2% less in San Marcos.
 Clearwater, FLSan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries105.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing92.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$813,500$338,100
 Utilities105  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock122.9100
 Miscellaneous107.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Clearwater    23 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

Lived here all my life and it is still an amazing place to call home. Rural is long gone, but there are plentiful places to get away from the glitz and glamour that  More

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Just moved here 2 months ago. My utility bill was $160. Water usage was only $31 but the charge for sewer based on the water usage was $42. I was also charged $17.85  More

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I've resided in Clearwater for 30 odd years (no pun intended). It does have it's good and bad. We are an attractive city wrapped around an amazing piece of waterfront.  More

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Reviews for San Marcos    5 Reviews

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

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Over 16 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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Over 19 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

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